RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – The suspect arrested in a gruesome triple murder last month in Rutland County pleaded not guilty in Vermont Thursday after being extradited from New York. Brian Crossman Jr., 23, is facing three counts of aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of his father, stepmother and stepbrother at their home in Pawlet.
Crossman Jr. appeared virtually in a Rutland County courtroom wearing a red prison jumpsuit.
Back on September 15th, police responded to a home on route 133 in Pawlet, where they found three victims Brian Crossman Sr.,46, a Pawlet Selectboard member; his wife, Erica Crossman, 41; And her son, Colin Taft, 13.
“The violence that was used to perpetrate those crimes, we believe, speaks strongly towards the reasons the court should hold the defendant without bail,” Rutland County State’s Attorney Ian Sullivan told the court.
According to court paperwork, Crossman Jr. called 911 to report the incident. Police arrived to find him covered in blood. He told investigators that he had gone for a walk and returned home to find his family members dead. Police say two of the victims were shot multiple times.
“That shows a sustained and vicious form of violence against his victims that should give the court significant pause when considering whether or not to release the defendant,” Sullivan said.
Family members describe Crossman Jr. as having mental health issues and a troubled relationship with his father with previous aggressive behavior.
The aggravated murder charges, the most severe under Vermont law, carry a potential penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. “It is, I believe, by the Legislature designed to capture the most horrific homicides,” Sullivan said.
Crossman Jr.’s attorney and the victims’ family members declined to comment.
Crossman Jr. will be held without bail pending a weight of the evidence hearing which has not been scheduled yet.